The Los Angeles Lakers are entering their first full season with superstar Luka Doncic on the roster after making several moves to improve the team.

The franchise was desperately targeting a big man following their first-round exit in the playoffs due to a lack of physicality.

After chasing several centers in free agency and the trade block, the Lakers landed Deandre Ayton. The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Ayton from the last year of his deal, leaving him available as a free agent.

The Lakers also added forward Jake LaRavia and guard Marcus Smart to the roster, rounding out their notable moves.

Despite making all of these moves, Los Angeles still has a notable weakness on the team, according to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton.

“As potent as the Lakers’ perimeter trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves is offensively, it’s limited defensively,” Pelton wrote in a story on ESPN.
“Dorian Finney-Smith, now in Houston, served as the Lakers’ perimeter stopper after the deadline,” Pelton noted.

“They added Marcus Smart, but at this stage of his career, Smart might be better against big opponents than defending the point of attack,” Pelton added.

In terms of capable perimeter defenders on the roster, the Lakers have Jarred Vanderbilt, a switchable, lanky forward who can guard multiple positions and stay in front of quick players.

Gabe Vincent, while inconsistent at this point in his career, can offer some quality guard defense at times.

However, aside from these two players, the Lakers lack high-level defenders who can effectively guard the modern NBA’s elite offensive creators.

How Can the Lakers Improve Their Defense?

While no key additions via trade or free agency came specifically for perimeter defense, there are some in-house solutions to their defensive woes.

Guard Bronny James and forward Adou Thiero are two young players who can take a step forward next season.

James showed his defensive chops, creating turnovers and making players take tough shots during the NBA Summer League.

After an impressive stint in the G-League, James should get a chance to crack the rotation and potentially fill the team’s need on defense.

Thiero, the franchise’s second-round pick, comes into the NBA with a high motor and athleticism to guard on the perimeter.

If either of these players can take a step forward, Doncic and LeBron James will have less of a defensive burden, and it can allow Smart to guard those bigger forwards.